Eubalaena
Eubalaena is a genus of baleen whales that includes three species: the North Atlantic right whale (E. glacialis), the North Pacific right whale (E. japonica), and the Southern right whale (E. australis). These whales are characterized by their distinctive features, such as their lack of a dorsal fin, their large, callosed heads, and their thick blubber layer. They are slow-moving and primarily feed on krill and copepods, filtering them from the water using their baleen plates.
Common Names
The common names for the species of Eubalaena are derived from their geographic distribution:
- North Atlantic right whale (E. glacialis)
- North Pacific right whale (E. japonica)
- Southern right whale (E. australis)
Characteristics
Eubalaena whales possess several distinguishing characteristics:
- Lack of a dorsal fin: Unlike most whales, they have a smooth, rounded back, lacking a prominent dorsal fin.
- Large, callosed head: They have a distinctive head with large, rough, callosed patches, often covered in barnacles and other marine organisms.
- Thick blubber layer: They have a thick layer of blubber that insulates them in cold waters and provides buoyancy.
- Baleen plates: They have long, fringed baleen plates that act as a filter to strain krill and copepods from the water.
- Slow-moving: They are relatively slow-moving whales, making them vulnerable to ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear.
Environment
Eubalaena whales inhabit a wide range of environments within the cold, temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Southern oceans. They prefer coastal waters, particularly areas with high productivity and abundant prey.
References
For more information on Eubalaena, please refer to these reliable sources: